African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala has confirmed that he will not compete in this week’s Diamond League Final in Zurich after suffering an injury setback.
The 29-year-old Kenyan sprinter, who clocked an African record of 9.77 seconds in 2021, revealed on Monday that persistent muscle, hip, and glute pain has forced him to pull out of the prestigious event — the last major competition before the Tokyo World Championships.
“I regret to inform you that I will be unable to participate in the Diamond League final,” Omanyala said in a statement shared on Instagram. “I am optimistic about my recovery and anticipate being fully fit for Tokyo (September 13 to 21).”
Omanyala, Kenya’s only male 100m representative selected at the national trials in July, has endured a mixed Diamond League season. He finished runner-up in China and Morocco, but struggled in Shanghai, where he finished last in a race won by South Africa’s Akani Simbine, with Jamaica’s Olympic champion Kishane Thompson coming second.
Despite the setback, Kenya will still have a strong presence in Zurich, with Faith Kipyegon, the three-time world 1500m champion, and Beatrice Chebet, the reigning 10,000m world champion, both set to compete. They will be joined by Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi, who has already claimed four Diamond League victories this season with some of the fastest times worldwide.
Omanyala remains hopeful of returning to top form in time for the World Championships in Tokyo, where he will aim to make history for Kenya in the men’s 100m sprint.
